Waitress to Brownback: Give tip to schools

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Facebook post by a Topeka waitress has been ‘liked and shared’ in viral-quantities, after she turned down a 10 percent tip from the governor of Kansas and told him to give it to the schools.

“I’m taking him,” she said when he came into the restaurant. “This is going to be awesome.”

Hough later posted his receipt on Facebook, showing the line for the tip crossed out and the phrase “Tip the schools” written beside it.

Hough declined to say how Brownback reacted to the receipt.

She said administrators of the restaurant did not know about her plans.

Calls by The Associated Press to the governor’s spokeswoman and the restaurant’s office Sunday were not returned, but on Tuesday, the governor’s deputy communications director sent his response when he was asked about the tip message during a news conference.

“I’m out in the public a lot, and I get a lot of people saying they agree with me and I get a lot of people saying they don’t agree…That’s a person’s opportunity to say what they’d like to. I hear it both ways in different times and different places,” Brownback responded.

Schools across the state are facing tight or reduced budgets under funding changes supported by Brownback. Since Brownback signed the state’s ‘block grant’ change to fund public education for the next two years, several schools around the state have made drastic changes to their education programs.

Hough says her sister has special needs and because of the recent education cuts, her sister has lost several teachers in her classes.

“I think education is the foundation for a better country and more progressive society,” Hough said.

Hough says she has received thank you messages from teachers and administrators across the state.